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Exclusive: LVMH coming soon to Second Life!
By Celebrity Trollop | April 1, 2007
This is an April Fools Day prank :-) But it does have that authentic ring of “truthiness” to it. I have no idea if LVMH is coming to Second Life or if there will ever be “authorized” Louis Vuitton style handbags in world.
Hot on the heels of L’Oreal Paris coming to Second Life, I learned late last night — in an exclusive scoop from a highly placed source at a top virtual world services company — that French fashion and luxury goods giant LVMH — owners of iconic RL style brands like Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, and Fendi among many others — will be debuting an exclusive private island in May.
The first offer from LVMH? What is sure to be a hotly coveted bag in real life and in our Second Lives — the super stylish, totally retro Noé handbag (shown left) from flagship label Louis Vuitton. My source said, “We’ve been in negotiations with LVMH for the past two months and we’ve already contracted to have the bag constructed by one of Second Life’s most talented handbag creators.” Pressed for more details, the only clarification my source would reveal was that the bags will be fully animated and offered in the full line of monogram, color monogram and supple colored leathers for which Louis Vuitton is renown.
The price point for the bags hasn’t been set yet, but my source did tell me, “LVMH is worried about the brand dilution that a micro-payment economy like Second Life might bring — so we’re trying to set a price point on these items that makes a statement to other residents, and also proves to LVMH that their customers really want to interact with and experience these brands in a significant way in a virtual 3d environment. So far, we’ve been talking about a range of between L$5,000-L$10,000. Eventually, if LVMH approves, we may start doing authentic Louis Vuitton limited edition items which would carry price points appropriate to their status as limited editions.”
When the island is closer to being done, I will be posting exclusive sneak-peek photos! Stayed tuned, fashionistas.
Topics: Accessories, Business of Fashion |
Hmmm, 5000+ for a bag? Not a good idea IMHO, even for a virtual official LV bag. 2000, might be better, but even that might be a touch higher than AV’s would want to pay.
I’m figuring they’re getting either Fally or Ingrid to do the bags.
Wonder when Hermes will show up in SL.
Posted by: CronoCloud Creeggan on April 1st, 2007 at 5:39 pmIs it a april-1st news or not?
Posted by: ak on April 1st, 2007 at 7:20 pmMy idea Crono. Prices around 2000 are way up already. What would that mean for the authentic SL designers that are currently setting the standard in SL? I remember hesitating a bit before buying one of Dazzles limited editions (1/60) for L$ 2000. Should new limiteds from Last Call be sold in the future for at least L$ 30.000… which is still a ridiculously low price for HC (when translated accordingly)?
The estimated value of Random Caliope’s set that the winner of the L’Oreal contest has received, was considered ridiculous by some. Yet, still translated according to LVMH concepts, an exclusive set of jewelry for LS 125,000 is a mere tip for the creator
So, LVMH has an exclusive brand image in RL. Fine but if LVMH is afraid to be affected in it’s image by brand dilution through SL economics and pricing… why even bother to come to SL? I would die to have a discussion about their philosophy with their marketing dept. 5-10K for a clutter of pixels…. as skilfully put together as they may be……. Grazia shakes her head……..
Posted by: Grazia Horwitz on April 1st, 2007 at 7:26 pmMicro-payment? Is that what content creator prices are called now? That’s absolute branding, in a bad way . . .
. . . has it come to virtual worlds Black Market Chinatown rising to exist? Where we’ll have to pride ourselves on having a Louis Vuitton or Gucci because we honestly can’t afford the real thing? Where we’ll have to look both ways to sneak to the content creator dealing from a van just to get the latest trend that *looks* authentic?
I’d rather pay 200-350L for a “mico-priced” content creator brand like Shiny Things, Last Call, ETD etc. than find myself or anyone I know deluded enough to pay 5k-10kL for a Virtual Hand Bag. For $40 USD, goodness, go buy the real thing, take pictures for me and we’ll dance and prance about it.
Id rather give my 5-10kL to the talented Content Creator next door who will humbly design under their personal brand name than a multi-million RL Fashion Company trying to squeeze me of my extra happy Lindens.
In fact if any RL company wants to promote their brand they should make a more accessible “mirco” price point therefore every virtual Fashionista is able to skip around with their Handbag and Fashion goodies.
Rather than making a ridiculously high price point leaving those who can’t shed 5-10k on a VIRTUAL HAND BAG in the dark.
Posted by: Lucas Lameth on April 1st, 2007 at 8:19 pmThey could make it L$1 and I wouldnt buy it. I only buy from content creators, not corporations.
Curious though who they got to do the animations.
Posted by: luth on April 1st, 2007 at 9:17 pmhmmm.. on second thought Celeb…… it could be a fabulous April’s Fool post too……hahahahaha
Posted by: Grazia Horwitz on April 1st, 2007 at 11:27 pmPwnt.
Posted by: LowRes Althouse on April 2nd, 2007 at 2:45 amI agree with everyone, specially Lucas. Good thing I’m not the only one who doesn’t like the whole idea.
5000-10000 lindens are enough real money for a good LV knockoff, and at least you could actually carry things on it, lol! but actually I’d rather pay this money for an unique thrift store bag or for an unknown designer. But I’m sure there are a lot of deluded people, like lucas put so well, who would pay for it. I have absolutely no respect for people like that.
I won’t be caught dead wearing a louis voutton RL or SL, even if I had the money. Not so much because of my anti-consumption ideas, but mainly because it’s just plain tacky :).
btw, if it’s an april fools post… it’s great, celeb, you caught us all:)
Posted by: moire g. on April 2nd, 2007 at 6:11 amI am betting April Fools. It’s just too retarded otherwise ;)
Posted by: Gillian Waldman on April 2nd, 2007 at 6:31 amThat price tag is absolutely idiotic, but whatever.
I’m just upset I didn’t get the story first. ;) (xoxo Celeb)
Posted by: Tenshi Vielle on April 2nd, 2007 at 6:47 amBRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! ROFL… LMAO……
Posted by: Grazia Horwitz on April 2nd, 2007 at 7:30 amHahaahaaha…ok, this was the ONLY April Fool’s joke I fell for. Totally believable. Good one, Celeb! :P
Posted by: Francesca Poppy on April 2nd, 2007 at 9:30 amOh goodness Celeb, you sly lass you.. heavens you sure do know how to pull those strings hahaha! Brilliant!! Glad this blog is a joke but *is is* a very real situation with inflated overpriced products floating around n SL.
It would be definately time to raise pitchforks when an RL company is setting those prices, but until then…
::Polishes pitchfork and goes back to zen gardening or what have you::
Posted by: Lucas Lameth on April 2nd, 2007 at 10:54 amROFL
Posted by: Kalia Meiklejohn on April 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 pmI love it! I totally bought it, you sneaky girl!!!
Ahh! I fell for this! I’m not sure whether to be relieved or feel stupid. ;)
Posted by: Miriel Enfield on April 2nd, 2007 at 3:00 pmOMG it’s really a joke???? where did she say that?
Posted by: caLLie cLine on April 2nd, 2007 at 6:44 pmCallie - she added that comment to the top of her post :)
And yeah, I didn’t even stop to consider what day it was… >.
Posted by: Jaydei Benmergui on April 2nd, 2007 at 8:06 pmOh so plausible oh so sneaky and a great April Fools joke. and I fell for it. :-)
Posted by: CronoCloud Creeggan on April 2nd, 2007 at 10:47 pm